Staff

Senior Programmes Operations Manager: James Bajcer

I am very fortunate to work for an organisation and have a role that is fundamentally about creating impactful partnerships that fundamentally make a lasting change to people’s lives. Working with colleagues across the Trust, it is my role to ensure that together with our partners, we continue to achieve great outcomes and grow our support wider to reach more young people facing disadvantage. Having worked in the charity sector for over 10 years, I am incredibly passionate in wanting to make a difference to others and am proud that through the partnerships the Trust have and are developing, I can do this.

Outside of work, sport has always been a huge part of my life, whether watching or playing and am thankful to for the years of taxi journey’s from my parents to football matches or golf tournaments across the country. This love for sport continued, studying it at Staffordshire University and am fortunate that I have been able to combine this passion and hobby with my work.

Sarah Lanchin – Programmes Operations Manager

In my role as Programmes Operations Manager I work with the Programmes Operations Team to ensure that the Trust’s programmes are delivered effectively and efficiently across the regions, making sure that they have a positive impact and that young people get the best experience possible.

It’s really exciting to be part of the Trust and such a unique organisation. I have worked in the voluntary sector for 20+ years working for local, national and international organisations on a range of young people’s projects and services, my background is in youth work and I enjoy doing what I can to ensure every young person has access to opportunities and a positive future.

When I’m not at work I can be usually found outdoors, sometimes up a big hill or mountain, other times running about with tyres and kettlebells. I like being active and have attempted in the past many mud runs, three peaks challenges, bike rides etc , I am not the fastest or the most refined but my aim is to give things a go! I also take chocolate, coffee and cake very seriously as part of my fitness regime – it’s all about balance!

Alexandra Kurek: Programmes Officer

As Programmes Officer I am responsible for supporting the delivery of programmes ensuring that partners have what they need to make them run smoothly and successfully.

Before working for the trust I had many years experience working within a National Governing Body, my roles included working with athletes as well as programmes involving young people and charities both locally and nationally. This experience led me to realise this was the path I wanted to take in the future, I am now lucky enough to work across all three of these areas in my role at the trust.

When not at work I try to fit in as much sport as possible. I am currently, quite literally, having a crash course in road cycling, and will be taking on a mountain in the Alps very soon!

Area Development Manager, Central: Ian Boyd

My role as Area Manager is around developing and embedding our transformational and inspirational mentoring programmes across the West Midlands, East Midlands and East of England. Working closely with our excellent teams of local Strategic and Delivery partners, my job is to support them in making sure the current programmes are delivered as effectively as possible, paying particular attention that the exit routes and outcomes for young people are as strong as possible. Another big part of the role is around planning for the future and ensuring that the support is sustained in the long term, ultimately meaning that we can deliver more work and are able to support as many young people as possible.

I love the variety of my role and having worked in the Charity Youth sector all my career, starting out studying Youth and Sport at Birmingham University, this role feels like the perfect way to bring these two worlds together; working with athletes as they support young people facing disadvantage.

Outside of work I am big into completing personal challenges, with running being a large part of my life at the moment. Over the past year I’ve gone from no running, to completing around 650 miles in training and races. The pinnacle for me will be taking on a lifetime goal of running my first marathon event, the London marathon in April 2017. When I am not running, I love spending time with my beautiful wife and two wonderful daughters in our life in Loughborough.

I am also leading the development of our volunteering opportunities: Operation Giveback. If you feel you are able to give something back and are interesting in volunteering some support for either the young people or athletes that we work with, we’d be very interested in hearing from you.

Senior Area Development Manager, North: Sarah Gray

As part of the Programmes Team at the Trust, it’s my job to support the sustainability and growth of transformational and inspirational programmes in the North of England. My areas cover Yorkshire, Humber and the North East of England.

I’ve had a sporting career so far which has included working at a professional football club and for Lincolnshire Football Association. I was particularly interested in working with people with disabilities and providing football activities for all.

When not at work I love to cycle or craft with any materials I can find, everyone loves to create don’t they?! I love to sew and create new projects.

Sarah is currently on maternity leave.

Area Development Manager, North West and North Wales: Leigh Hall

My role as Area Manager is to support the development, sustainability and growth of transformational and inspirational programmes in the North West of England and North Wales. I work with strategic and delivery partners in various areas to ensure programmes are being run effectively for young people.

I am passionate about working with young people, particularly those who experience multiple disadvantage and believe that every young person has potential. I believe in the Trust’ ethos and the impact athletes can have on young people.

Having a strong youth work background, I began my career at the age of 18 when I got my first part-time youth work role, from there my enthusiasm for working with young people grew. My degree in Dance helped develop interest in physical activity, plus I also did various pieces of work with offenders. After taking a year out to travel I decided that this kind of work was what I wanted to do.

I started with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust in summer 2016. You can contact me on [email protected]

Research and Impact Manager: Arrti O'Hare

The focus of my work is around research, evaluating our programmes and informing our work going forward. I consider myself really lucky in my role because I get to link-in with colleagues, athletes, young people, partners, and other researchers.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends, cooking, eating, exercising and catching up on sleep!

Research Officer: Whitney Otchere

I'm the Research Officer for the Trust which in a nutshell means I create surveys, write reports for funding bids and keep the rest of the organisation up to date on recent research findings.

I have a lot of experience in the Third Sector as before working for the Trust I worked for a youth charity and prior to that I worked for Amnesty International as a community organiser.

When not at work I enjoy food, travelling and music. Having won a hula hooping competition when I was eight years old, I have experience of transitioning from a sporting background into a professional career!

Employee Engagement Manager: Marie Robson

I have the exciting role of promoting, recruiting and supporting those who wish to run, jump, swim (or anything else) to challenge themselves to raise funds for the Trust. I also liaise with those who wish to raise funds through other activities, from cake sales and dress down days to company-wide initiatives to inspire the health and well-being of the workforce. If you have an idea, for you and/or your colleagues, family and friends, get in touch!

I’m a true bucket list keeper, and most importantly I enjoy ticking items off! Number one on the list is swimming with Great White Sharks, although I’m still to achieve this! To date I’ve enjoyed mud runs, a half marathon, skydiving, bungee jumping, fire walking, and in 2016 I trekked the Inca Trail to Maccha Picchu. In 2017 I’m taking on 17 personal challenges including wing walking and I’m always keen to find out new ideas from our supporters.

I’m passionate about ensuring every supporter who chooses to raise funds to support our athletes and young people facing disadvantage has a positive experience, and then spreads the word to others to get in touch and also make a difference. You can make a difference!

Associate Northern Ireland Operations Manager: Johnny Davis

I have been privileged to spend my entire life in the sporting and creative industry sectors and have consistently witnessed the power of training, mentoring and personal development in transforming lives and attitudes.

As a two time Olympian I have experienced the extreme highs and the extreme lows that come with being a dedicated international athlete. The experiences I have gathered from the wonderful and challenging journey of competing at Olympic level have helped me to form my own positive personal perception of the world and to help and support others who may be struggling to come to terms with the situation which they find themselves in.

I have previously worked with the Youth Sports Trust on their Ambassador Programme and was Programme Manager for the initial Together: Building a United Community (Cross Community Youth Sports Programme) which was an award winning headline action for the NI Executive.

I am extremely excited to be heading up the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust operation in Northern Ireland and I am confident we can have a very positive impact within our local communities.

I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by positive, supportive people both during and after my sporting career and I look forward to being able to offer that same support to our young people

Finance Manager: Zita Selvanathar

My name is Zita Selvanathar and I am delighted to have recently joined Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

My main responsibilities in the office are to make sure all suppliers are paid on time and to maintain accurate records on the finance system, I also make sure all income details are recorded on the system accurately. I have a real passion for supporting young people and excited to be part of a growing organisation who offer such inspirational support and training.

Prior to joining the Trust, I worked in local authorities and housing associations as well as other charities and acquired extensive experience and knowledge of providing financial management and accounting services.

Apart from working, I spend time with my family and friends as well as experimenting with different cooking styles. I also enjoy going for long walks.

My main role at the Trust is processing all athlete invoices and making sure they are paid on time. I also keep financial records up to date and support my team with anything they need.

When I left school I started volunteering for a Mental Health charity, since then I knew I wanted to continue volunteering in my spare time, now I’m lucky enough to be working for a charity and able to give back every day.

I joined the Trust in late October and started on a 5 week work placement, while I was actively looking for an apprenticeship, after being here for a few weeks I could see how friendly and hard working everyone at the trust is which made me want to stay. Towards the end of my placement my manager offered me an 18 month contract to complete an AAT apprenticeship which I was more than happy to accept!

Senior Communications Officer: Rob Phillips

As part of the communications team at the Trust, it’s my job to get our message out to the media and the general public about the amazing programmes we run and the inspirational athletes and young people we work with. Specifically I look after the public affairs side of our work so you'll often find me in Parliament or speaking to other influential people about our work. I also look after our website and our social media feeds so if there’s anything you want to hear more about, let me know.

I’ve had a varied career so far which has included running theme parks, working in software education and dressing up as a furry dog on more than one occasion. After a long time in the corporate world, I’m really excited to be working for an organisation dedicated to helping young people facing disadvantage.

When not at work I can often be found out running, cycling or volunteering at a local parkrun. Unless it’s raining really hard outside, then I might be playing with my ever growing Lego Star Wars collection.